AS Monaco no longer outright favourites to land Georges Mikautadze | OneFootball

L’Équipe understands that AS Monaco are no longer the outright favourite to sign FC Metz forward Georges Mikautadze (23), who is currently shining with Georgia at Euro 2024.

Mikautadze left Metz at the start of last season to join Ajax, however, amid the chaos at the Eredivisie side, he failed to settle and therefore made a swift return to Metz in January. With 12 goals in his final 14 appearances for Les Grenats, he almost miraculously saved the club from relegation, however, ultimately, Metz did make the drop to the second tier.

Lens still in race for Mikautadze

However, they did so after making Mikautadze’s move permanent for €13m. The Ligue 2 side will now be looking to make a handsome profit on the player, who is currently increasing his value at Euro 2024. It had been thought that Monaco were leading the race to sign the striker, however, amid the broadcasting rights situation and the uncertainty of the Principality club’s potential sale, that lead has been squandered.

Olympique Lyonnais, Mikautadze’s city of birth, had been a potential opportunity for the wantaway Metz striker but Alexandre Lacazette’s decision to see out the final year of his contract, rather than move to Saudi Arabia, has seen their interest cool. RC Lens remain in the race, according to L’Équipe, however, given the new austere regime at the club, they could find a deal difficult to pull off.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle